Is anyone taking these and seeing benefit from them? I know there are some contraindications and I know I'm not going to find something to make me symptom free but I want to feel better. I have accepted that this will be an ongoing thing and I'm past the "I want my life back" stage (well not completely past that) but I would be happy to feel how I felt previous to this flair. This is my first bad flair and it is driving me nuts!

I have not tried either one of these hhh. I am very careful what I take cause of all the meds I'm on and some supplements don't mix well with meds. Always consult with your doc before trying supplements.

Marlee, you're right ofcourse. Often my doctors will shrug their shoulders when I ask about supplements. I use http://www.fms-help.com/meds.htm to check for interactions. This whole thing is a lot of work!

Holly, I found a site, which of course I can't remember, that leaves your meds in there so you don't have to put them in each time. I would check with pharmacist. I'm on two anti-depressants and I don't think you can take either one with anti-depressants. I know I looked them both up at one time, but if it wasn't 30 seconds ago of course I can't remember.

I am taking Sam-E; I just started and honestly missed a few days so too soon to tell. Its expensive though. I paid 30.00 and you are suppose to take 2 pills = 400 mg. I'm only taking one pill. Time will tell. I read good things about it. I also read it does interact with anti-depressents; which I am not on any. Good luck

I have been thinking of trying the SAMe in fact buying tonight but I also know you cant have it in conjunction of other antidepressants and it is really expensive. I will give it a try and let you know if it helps. I have heard alot of good things about it. My meds are crippling us financially, it makes me feel guilty which is why I keep putting of getting the SAMe. The prices of meds are redicullous sue2zFibromyalgia, ulcerative colonitus, arthritus, bi-polar

I have been taking the 5-HTP for several months now, and I wouldn't give it up for the world. I know that most if not all of the sites say that you can not take it with an anti-depresseant, but I was on one temporarily and the drugist said it was fine. When in doubt about taking a supplement, I find that the best thing to do is take a complete list of your meds and supplements to your drugist and ask questions. If they don't know the answer right off the top of their heads they are ususally willing to look it up in their database and answer all of your questions.

Before I go on any more ad drugs I am currently trying the suppliment route. I was told that the 5-HTP was good. I would not take it with any ad drugs because the side effects can be severe. You can get a seratonin toxicity that causes severe problems. (it's on the warning label).

I'm of the belief that replacing the needed compounds is better than taking a drug that modifys what you have IKWIM?

I am trying out St. John's wort, L-tyrosine and I will be adding the 5-HTP. Another good suppliment that I think is great is the Omega-3 fish oil. I really think it helps.GLCarolynI am a mother to 4 children; James 11 mo.'s, Davey 2 1/2 yrs,

Dana 4 1/2yrs, and Anne 9 yrs. I am currently studying to become a natural childbirth educator.... and just trying to figure out where my priorities are right now.

I am on an AD but I take 100mg. of 5HTP at night and I can tell a difference in the AM-I don't feel as if the nerve endings all over my body are completely raw(That is the best way I know to describe it). You can take more than 100mg but since I am on the AD I only take 100mg. I tried SAM-E awhile back and I really couldn't tell much of a difference. It is kind of expensive and at the time I didn't think it was worth it. I may give it another try in the future.

Sue,I have been getting my generic meds at Sam's Club and they are only $10 for a three month supply. My generic prozac is one of those. The antidepressants are not for treating depression in fibro, although that is one of the benefits of taking them. They are serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which means they help us use the serotonin our bodies produce and prevent us from burning it all off, so to speak.

Serotonin is a necessary brain chemical for a lot of functions including our pain coping mechanism, circadian sleep cycles, mood levels and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember right now. I would rather take a regulated med at 10¢ a day than a non-regulated supplement. It's more predictable and helps me cope with pain. I do take malic acid, vitamins, fish oil and those types of supplements that are not available as prescriptions. I don't substitute supplements, St. John's Wart, for example, for the real thing because the supplements are not federally regulated so dosage is iffy. Just my 2¢.~ Jeannie, Forum Moderator/Diabetes & FibromyalgiaI know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. ~Mother Teresa

"People are like stained glass windows: They sparkle and shine when the sun's out, butwhen the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within."- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Cyndi,what's AD? Oh, anti-depressant? I started 5-HTP three nights ago and increased my total sleep time from an hour and a half to five hours. Not great but better. I have been waking up with headaches. What's up with that?h